If you want to learn about plot design for urban and rural farms and related information on integrated pest management (Feb 8th) or about starting and tranplanting seedlings (Feb 9th) or basic botany (Feb 16th) or season extension (Feb 17th) or direct marketing (Feb 22nd) or native and invasive plants (Feb 23rd) check out workshops sponsored by Common Ground Church in North Lima, OH and delivered by experts either from OSU/OARDC Wooster, Mill Creek MetroParks, or area farms. $15 donation per workshop. For information go to www.goodnessgrows.net or meagan@goodnessgrows.net or 330-549-9408.

City and rural residents alike are invited by OFBF to get in touch with their inner-farmer and to make the most of their property through 1-5 educational workshops on farms and agricultural sites throughout Ohio. April 17 at Malabar Farm (Lucas): Farming on Five to Fifty; May 22 at Bob Evans Farm (Rio Grande): Solutions to Pestering Problems; June 5 at Franklin Park Conservatory (Columbus): Growing Your Own Food & Going Green; October 23 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark (Kirtland): What to Do in Winter; and November 7 at Woodhaven Farm (Johnstown): Know Place Like Home for the Holidays (hands-on cooking and more). For more information go to http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/news/607/

The USDA Economic Research Service recently released a 41pp Information Bulletin that compares the natural resource characteristics, resource issues, and conservation treatment costs on farms operated by beginning, limited-resource, and socially disadvantaged operators with those of other participants in the largest U.S. working-lands and land retirement conservation programs. A report summary and the entire report is available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib62/

A video description by a Minnesota farmer is available to introduce you to thermal banking (the storage of heat that accumulates during the daytime, especially on sunny days) as a heat source to keep greenhouse beds warm during cold periods. Funding by a SARE Farmer-Rancher Grant, Steven Schwen is in the beginning phases of his project. Go to http://www.sare.org/publications/fromthefield_schwen1.htm

An intensive urban farm management program for new and emerging farmers in the Akron, Summit County and nearby areas begins March 11 and continues through April 22, 2010 (7 Thursday evenings, 6-9 pm) at an Akron TBA location. Mini-grants may be available to participants to assist with future urban farming ventures. Cost is $125 (individual) or $175 (couple) for Summit County residents and $250 for others. For information contact Denise Ellsworth at ellsworth.2@osu.edu or call her at 330-928-4769.

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America posts interest rates for Farm Land; Operations; Equipment; and Livestock, Improvements and Facilities. The rates can change daily and are quoted for loans $25,000 or greater (for smaller loans, rates are slightly higher). If you are shopping for loans check out http://www.e-farmcredit.com/TodaysRates/FarmRates/tabid/243/Default.aspx

Ohio State University Extension Regional Equine Information Network System (REINS) will be training volunteers on several horse management and science topics and certifiying trained volunteers to work with county Extension personnel to provide horse owners helpful information about nutrition, breeding and foaling, healthcare and pasture management. Volunteers may also develop education materials and help coordinate programs. The first training session will take place February 20-21 during the REINS annual conference at the OSU College Veterinary Medicine in Columbus, OH. First year training requires 16 hours, followed by 8 hours annually. The goal is to have 1-2 volunteers in each county. For more information http://4hansci.osu.edu/horse/horseResources.php. The application is due FEB 1st, however, look for this resource to be available to you in your community.

What better way to learn about service to farmers for loan processing and servicing, or about administering federal farm programs than to assist the senior specialists in day-to-day activities of State and county office operations at the Ohio Farm Service Agency. Job will be in Columbus Ohio. Explore this paid internship opportunity as a Clerk/Assistant or Program Technician at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/sip_announcement_jan_2010.pdf